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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 2, 1989 · Cessna 180 · N2137Z

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N2137Z
Operator
Anderson Kenneth
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC89FA155

THE PLT WAS ON A TEST FLT AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPN WAS COMPLETED. DRG FLT, AN OIL FILM APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD, SO HE TURNED BACK TO LAND AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT (MERRILL FIELD). BEFORE REACHING MERRILL FIELD, THE OIL FILM BECAME HEAVY & OIL PRESSURE BEGAN DROPPING. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT A PVT AIRSTRIP. DRG THE APCH, HE SLIPPED THE ACFT FOR VISIBILITY. HE SAID HE MADE A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN, BUT DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT, HIT A ROCK & SOME HIGH VEGETATION, THEN NOSED DOWN. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK IN THE ENG OIL COOLER.

NTSB Probable Cause

OIL LEAK IN THE OIL COOLER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: OIL FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISION (VISUAL PERCEPTION) AND HAMPERED HIS ABILITY TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AN OBJECT (ROCK), AND HIGH VEGETATION BESIDE THE AIRSTRIP.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS ON A TEST FLT AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPN WAS COMPLETED. DRG FLT, AN OIL FILM APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD, SO HE TURNED BACK TO LAND AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT (MERRILL FIELD). BEFORE REACHING MERRILL FIELD, THE OIL FILM BECAME HEAVY & OIL PRESSURE BEGAN DROPPING. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT A PVT AIRSTRIP. DRG THE APCH, HE SLIPPED THE ACFT FOR VISIBILITY. HE SAID HE MADE A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN, BUT DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT, HIT A ROCK & SOME HIGH VEGETATION, THEN NOSED DOWN. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK IN THE ENG OIL COOLER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:57 AKDT
Nearest AirportO'Malley (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length1600 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN2137Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAnderson Kenneth
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 7 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data